The arrests in Orlando of 13 members of Food Not Bombs (FNB) thus far is worse publicity than the City of Orlando realizes at this point. The news stories have been on the front pages of major newspapers around the world and the City would be better off backing down and letting it go, in my opinion. The FNB activists are exactly that and have no intention of backing down.
Many with FNB are active in other causes as well. I met several of the people at a rally for the Orlando Weekly downtown after the MBI arrested several in the newspaper's sales department over selling ads to massage parlors, escorts, and prostitutes. FNB is not a local organization and members from other areas are coming to Orlando to feed the homeless at Lake Eola downtown even though they realize they'll most likely be arrested for violating the city ordinance.
The City of Orlando prevailed in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which isn't that hard as this circuit is friendly to government (city, county, state) and unfriendly to anyone challenging government or its agents. Been there and done that. I do hope to see the FNB attorney take it to the higher court.
I used to go to Lake Eola often, at least a few times a week, but have since moved and spend little time there these days. The reason for the city's fight in relation to FNB feeding the homeless at Lake Eola Park is the surrounding high-dollar real estate. The park is lined by expensive condominiums, restaurants, and street cafés on three sides and these wealthy downtown dwellers do not want the poor and downtrodden there at all, and certainly not to eat a meal.
If you can spare a few $s, consider giving to the Food Not Bombs cause – this is a really great organization and the money won't go to line the pockets of anyone involved as it does with most US charities like the Red Cross. The main link is Food Not Bombs. The link to donate is not all that easy to locate on the website and is referred to as A Dollar for Peace and it's is HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment